San Francisco animal rescue shelters have dubbed the surge in abandoned chihuahas, the “Paris Hilton Syndrome“.

The heiress made the pet dog the newest accessory and seemingly caused the city to ditch their pets when they were no longer fashionable.

Animal rescue workers have noticed that the number of abandoned dogs in the area have risen exponentially, but the number of the dogs that are chihuahuas are astounding. It’s been said that the number of abandoned chihuahuas are up to a third of dog population in the centers.

A spokesperson for the San Francisco animal care and control department said, “All the shelters in California are seeing an upswing in chihuahua impounds. It’s been a slow and steady climb.”

People are being forced to leave their homes, thus making their pets homeless, as well. Paris made them “hot”, but they’re subsequently being put out in the cold when their owners can no longer care for them.

source: ‘Paris Hilton syndrome’ strikes California animal shelters – [guardian]